Sweet spot for new spa

Thursday

Jul 31, 2014 at 4:05 PMJul 31, 2014 at 4:18 PM

The cheery décor is just one of Averie's appeals – that, and a sparkling clean environment.

Staff Reporter

An ice cream parlor may not seem like the most likely inspiration for a nail salon, but when taking in the rows of brightly colored nail polish bottles lined up along the white walls of the new Averie’s Nail Spa, and the chocolate brown and white manicure and pedicure stations, the connection is obvious.

Owner Jennifer Nguyen said that she wanted her Cohasset salon to resemble an “ice cream bar,” with chocolate brown tables and pedicure chairs and white sinks and ottomans that look “like a marshmallow on top.”

The cheery décor is just one of Averie’s appeals – that, and a sparkling clean environment. Nguyen confessed to being “OCD” about cleanliness.

The pedicure stations have fresh water filtration systems, preventing bacteria from gathering, and all of the cleaning equipment is hospital-grade, said Nguyen. In the spa room, wax is never double-dipped, so every customer can rest assured that he or she is getting the cleanest possible mani, pedi, wax or facial.

Nguyen said that she hails from Texas, which has much stricter cleanliness laws for salons.

The owner said that she moved to the South Shore 10 years ago; her husband is a police officer in Boston. She scouted locations in the Hingham and Cohasset area before landing on a space in the Old Colony Square, in the same plaza as the Olympus Grille, Daily Press Juice Bar, Local Vines and Gourmet Wine, and South Shore Athletic Club.

“I really like it here,” Nguyen said of the location.

The salon opened in July but will have an official grand opening sometime in August. Services include waxing (eyebrows cost $15) and facials from $40.

Manicure and pedicure packages are available, from $15 to $55. Experiences include “The Dessert” featuring a chocolate milk soak and sweet-smelling products; “It’s Me Time” with a green tea soak, which Nguyen recommends for bridal parties, moms-to-be or a girls’ night out.

For younger clients, there’s the “Little Diva” mani-pedi. There’s even one for the menfolk called “The Gentlemen,” with a mint eucalyptus soak and scrub.

Nguyen said that she has been doing nails for 15 years, and enjoys all the aspects of the business.

“I love to meet and talk to people,” the owner said.

She also likes to keep clients happy and comfortable, offering complimentary coffee, water or white cranberry juice during a treatment; on Friday nights, complimentary white or red wine is served.

So where does the name “Averie” come from? Nguyen said the salon is named for her daughter.